The Animals’ Tale – abridged

A musical play relating Christmas as told by the animals

music and lyrics by Julie Argyle-Cross

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SYNOPSIS

The Animals’ Tale is the traditional Christmas story as told through the eyes of the animals. The story begins with the census ordered by Caesar Augustus (“Census”). Everyone had to return to their hometown to be registered. Joseph was a descendant of David and needed to travel to Bethlehem with Mary, who was promised to him in marriage. The journey was over 100 miles, and their poor donkey had to work very hard to carry Mary and the provisions (“The Donkey’s tale of woe”). He talked to them, man to man, complaining loudly, but they only heard ‘Hee-haw’.

Next we visit the sheep on a hillside near Bethlehem. They sing a ragtime song (“What the sheep saw”), describing the angels’ appearance before the shepherds, and how frightened they were. The shepherd’s get a guersney too, with their own swing song (“What was that?”). They gather together some gifts and hurry down to Bethlehem to see the baby.

In the stable all is quiet and Mary is singing a lullaby to her tiny, newborn baby (“Mary’s Lullaby”). When the shepherds and their flock arrive at the stable the other animals are horrified. The stable is already full to overflowing! The cow and the ox rally the other animals for support (“No room!”). They are very relieved when only the shepherds venture inside, bringing their humble gifts, and do not overstay their welcome.

Meanwhile, the 3 Magi have been traveling from a distant country, at first on horseback, and now by camel. The three camels feel that their species has wrongly gained a reputation for being bad-tempered and uncooperative. They try to set it to rights (“We’ve got the hump”). In the Finale we see all the characters gathered together to celebrate the birth of the baby, Jesus (“Sing Hallelujah!”).